Adapter assembly for a well system

ABSTRACT

An adapter assembly for a well system includes at least one coupling member having a passage formed therein and an adapter including a neck duct formed thereon. The neck duct is received in the passage of the coupling member forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween. At least the adapter is formed from a lead-free material, minimizing a weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/731,533 filed Nov. 30, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adapter assembly for a well system, and more particularly to an adapter assembly for a pitless well system, which minimizes a weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

in a typical water well system shown in FIG. 1, a drilled, pitless well 10 is fitted with a well casing 12 in an upper extent thereof. A submersible pump 14 is suspended in the well below a water level 16 on one end of a supply pipe 18. An upper end of the supply pipe is attached to an inlet of an adapter 20 of an adapter assembly 22. Water from the supply pipe 18 passes through the adapter 20 and into a feed pipe 24. The feed pipe 24 delivers the water to a receiving structure 26 such as a building, a house, or a storage tank, for example. The adapter 20 is supported in the well 10 by side walls of the well casing 12 through which the adapter 20 extends and a coupling member 28 of the adapter assembly 22. The coupling member 28 is disposed on an outer surface of the well casing 12. A pull pipe 30 is threaded into a top end of the adapter 20. The pull pipe 30 permits the adapter 20 and the submersible pump 14 to be pulled from the well 10 when necessary.

Currently, the adapter 20 and the coupling member 28 are preferably formed of a cast bronze material in accordance with current standards and regulations. The cast bronze material typically contains lead. As such, wetted surfaces of the adapter 20 and the coupling member 28 include a percentage of lead. As a result, water flowing through the adapter 20 and the coupling member 28 become contaminated with lead. Exposure to the lead in the water can cause series health problems and may lead to poisoning of individuals drinking the water. Generally, the effects of lead poisoning are neurological or teratogenic. Lead affects bones, teeth, kidneys, and every organ system of a human body, especially the nervous system, but also the cardiovascular, immune, and reproductive systems.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop an adapter assembly for a well system which minimizes a weighted average lead content of the thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In concordance and agreement with the present invention, an adapter assembly for a well system which minimizes a weighted average lead content thereof, has surprisingly been discovered.

In one embodiment, an adapter assembly for a well system, comprises: an adapter configured to be disposed in a casing of a well, the adapter including an outwardly extending duct, wherein the adapter cooperates with a first coupling member to facilitate a flow of a fluid from the well, wherein the adapter includes at least one of a substantially planar mating surface located on a face of the duct and a housing formed from a substantially lead-free material, and wherein a weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly with respect to wetted surfaces of the adapter and the first coupling member is no more than about 0.25 percent.

In another embodiment, an adapter assembly for a well system, comprises: an adapter configured to be disposed in a casing of a well, the adapter cooperates with a first coupling member to facilitate a flow of a fluid from the well, wherein at least one of the adapter and the first coupling member is formed from a polyphenylene ether-polystyrene blended plastic material.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of forming an adapter assembly for a well system.

The method comprises the step of: forming an adapter from a polyphenylene ether-polystyrene blended plastic material, wherein the adapter is configured to be disposed in a casing of a well.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, when considered in the light of the accompanying photographs and illustrations:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a typical pitless well system including an adapter assembly;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary right side elevational view of an adapter assembly for a well system according to an embodiment of the invention, showing the adapter assembly coupled to a well casing and an adapter of the adapter assembly connected to a supply line and a pull line, wherein the well casing, a fastening assembly, and an outer coupling member of the adapter assembly are shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of the adapter assembly and the well casing illustrated in FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the adapter illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, showing a lever and an operating member removed from the adapter;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary right side elevational view of an adapter assembly for a well system according to another embodiment of the invention, showing the adapter assembly coupled to a well casing and an adapter of the adapter assembly connected to a supply line and a pull line, wherein the well casing, a fastening assembly, and an outer coupling member and an inner coupling member of the adapter assembly are shown in section;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of the adapter assembly and the well casing illustrated in FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front side perspective view of the inner coupling member illustrated in FIGS. 5-6;

FIG. 8 is a rear side perspective view of the inner coupling member illustrated in FIGS. 5-7;

FIG. 9 is a table which lists mechanical properties, impact properties, and thermal properties of a material which can be used to form the adapters illustrated in FIGS. 2-6, the outer coupling members illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 and 5-6, and/or the inner coupling member illustrated in FIGS. 5-8;

FIG. 10 is a table which lists physical properties, electrical properties, and flame characteristics of the material which can be used to form the adapters illustrated in FIGS. 2-6, the outer coupling members illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 and 5-6, and/or the inner coupling member illustrated in FIGS. 5-8; and

FIG. 11 is a table which lists processing parameters of the material which can be used to form the adapters illustrated in FIGS. 2-6, the outer coupling members illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 and 5-6, and/or the inner coupling member illustrated in FIGS. 5-8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.

FIGS. 2-3 show an adapter assembly 100 for a well system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The adapter assembly 100 includes an outer coupling member 101 and an adapter 102. It is understood that the adapter assembly 100 can be employed in any well system such as a pitless well system, for example. The outer coupling member 101 can be formed by any suitable process as desired such as a casting process, an injection molding process, and the like, for example. In certain embodiments, the outer coupling member 101 is formed from a bronze material containing lead. In other embodiments, however, the outer coupling member 101 can be formed from a lead-free material such as a polyphenylene ether-polystyrene (PPE-PS) blended plastic material sold as Noryl™, for example. The PPE-PS blended plastic material provides dimensional stability of the outer coupling member 101 and minimizes mold shrinkage, water absorption, and creep behavior thereof at elevated temperatures, as well as provides an outer coupling member 101 having a strength which is substantially unaffected by humidity, temperature (heat or cold), and wall thickness. Accordingly, the PPE-PS blended plastic material may be used with substantially predictable performance over a wide temperature range. Typical properties and processing parameters of the PPE-PS blended plastic material are listed in tables shown in FIGS. 9-11. It is understood that the PPE-PS blended plastic material can be used to produce outer coupling members having other designs and configurations than shown and described hereinafter.

The outer coupling member 101 is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a passage 104 formed therein. The passage 104 has an inlet 106 and an outlet 108. An annular inner wall 120 extends radially inwardly from an inner surface of the outer coupling member 101 into the passage 104 intermediate the inlet 106 and the outlet 108. The inner wall 120 includes an aperture 121 formed therein to permit a fluid to flow through the outer coupling member 101. A substantially smooth first surface 122 of the inner wall 120 receives a sealing member 124 thereon. Additional sealing members 124 may be employed if desired. It is understood that the sealing member 124 can be any suitable sealing member as desired such as an O-ring formed from an elastomeric material, for example.

In certain embodiments, the outlet 108 is configured to be coupled to a feed pipe (not shown). For example, an inner surface of the outlet 108 can include threads 128 formed therein to facilitate a substantially fluid-tight threaded connection between the outer coupling member 101 and the feed pipe. It is understood that the outer coupling member 101 can be coupled to the feed pipe by any means as desired such as flanges, clamps, fasteners, adhesive, and the like, for example. The feed pipe supplies the fluid to a receiving structure such as a commercial or residential building, a fluid reservoir, and the like, for example. An inlet end of the feed pipe can abut a substantially smooth second surface 130 of the inner wall 120 if desired.

As shown in FIG. 3, the outer coupling member 101 has a concave face 132 conforming substantially to a circumferential outer surface 134 of a well casing 136 disposed in the ground during a drilling of the well. The face 132 may include an annular groove 138 formed therein. A diameter of the groove 138 is larger than a diameter of a passage 139 formed in the well casing 136. A sealing member 140 may be disposed in the groove 138 to surround the passage 139 formed in the well casing 136. The sealing member 140 forms a substantially fluid-tight seal between the outer coupling member 101 and the well casing 136 when the outer coupling member 101 is coupled to the well casing 136.

In certain embodiments, the outer coupling member 101 is affixed to the outer surface 134 of the well casing 136 by a fastening assembly 141. It is understood, however, that the outer coupling member 101 can be coupled to the well casing 136 by other means as desired such as by welding, adhesive, and the like, for example. As shown, the fastening assembly 141 includes a substantially rigid U-bolt 142 having spaced apart threaded ends 144, 146, a plurality of spacers 148, and a plurality of threaded nuts 150. The outer coupling member 101 includes outwardly extending shoulders 152, 154 integrally formed therewith. An aperture 155 is formed in each of the shoulders 152, 154. The apertures 155 are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to a spacing between the threaded ends 144, 146 of the U-bolt 142. The distance being substantially equal to an outer diameter of the well casing 136. The spacers 148 and the threaded nuts 150 are provided on the threaded ends 144, 146 of the U-bolt 142 to urge the outer coupling member 101 into abutment with the well casing 136.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the adapter 102 includes a housing 160 having an elbow duct 162 formed therein. The housing 160 can be formed by any suitable process as desired such as an injection molding process, for example. In certain embodiments, the housing 160 is formed from a lead-free material such as a polyphenylene ether-polystyrene (PPE-PS) blended plastic material sold as Noryl™, for example. The PPE-PS blended plastic material provides dimensional stability of the housing 160 and minimizes mold shrinkage, water absorption, and creep behavior thereof at elevated temperatures, as well as provides a housing 160 having a strength which is substantially unaffected by humidity, temperature (heat or cold), and wall thickness. Accordingly, the PPE-PS blended plastic material may be used with substantially predictable performance over a wide temperature range. Typical properties and processing parameters of the PPE-PS blended plastic material are listed in tables shown in FIGS. 9-11. It is understood that the PPE-PS blended plastic material can be used to produce adapters having other designs and configurations than shown and described hereinafter.

A first end 164 of the housing 160 adjacent an inlet of the elbow duct 162 is configured to be coupled to an outlet end of a supply pipe 165. For example, an inner surface 166 of the first end 164 can include threads 167 formed therein to facilitate a substantially fluid-tight threaded connection between the adapter 102 and the supply pipe 165. It is understood that the first end 164 of the housing 160 can be coupled to the supply pipe 165 by any means as desired such as clamps, fasteners, adhesive, and the like, for example. In certain embodiments, an inlet end of the supply pipe 165 is coupled to a submersible pump (not shown) for causing a flow of the fluid into the supply pipe 165.

An opposing second end 168 of the housing 160 is configured to be coupled to a pull pipe 169. For example, an inner surface 170 of the second end 168 can include threads 171 formed therein to facilitate a threaded connection between the adapter 102 and the pull pipe 169. It is understood that the second end 168 of the housing 160 can be coupled to the pull pipe 169 by any means as desired such as clamps, fasteners, adhesive, and the like, for example. The pull pipe 169 has a sufficient length to extend above the well casing 136 and be adjustably held atop of the well casing 136.

The adapter 102 further includes a neck duct 172 extending laterally outwardly therefrom. The neck duct 172 shown has a generally circular cross-sectional shape and includes a passage 174 formed therein. The passage 174 receives the fluid therein. An inlet of the passage 174 is in fluid communication with an outlet of the elbow duct 162 and an outlet of the passage 174 is in fluid communication with the passage 104 of the outer coupling member 101. An outer diameter of the neck duct 172 is substantially constant and slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the passage 139 of the well casing 136 and an inner diameter of the passage 104 of the outer coupling member 101. The neck duct 172 is received through the passage 139 of the well casing 136 and into the inlet of the passage 104. A substantially planar mating surface 176 of the neck duct 172 abuts the sealing member 124 disposed on the inner wall 120 of the outer coupling member 101 forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the adapter 102 and the outer coupling member 101. It is understood that the substantially fluid-tight seal between the adapter 102 and the outer coupling member 101 can be obtained by other means such as by use of an adhesive, for example. Because the substantially planar mating surface 176 of the present invention is located on a face of the neck duct 172, the neck duct 172 does not include an annular groove formed therein. Accordingly, a thickness of the neck duct 172 is substantially constant, maximizing a strength of the neck duct 172. Further, the neck duct 172 does not require additional machining prior to assembly with the outer coupling member 101, minimizing a cost thereof.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pivot lever 178 is coupled to the adapter 102. The lever 178 is provided for pressing against an inner wall 180 of the well casing 136 opposite the passage 139 formed in the well casing 136. The lever 178 exerts a coupling force in a direction of the outer coupling member 101. The lever 178 may have a casing engaging first portion 182, a second portion 183 opposite the first portion 182 against which an operating force may be applied, and a fulcrum pin 184. The second portion of the lever 178 is received in a cavity 186 (shown in FIG. 4) formed in the housing 160, generally above the elbow duct 162, to permit pivotal movement of the lever 178 from a retracted first position to an extended second position, shown in FIG. 2. Each end of the fulcrum pin 184 may be received and secured in one of a pair of aligned apertures 188 (shown in FIG. 4) formed in laterally spaced apart lugs 190 of the housing 160.

Force may be exerted upon the second portion of the lever 178 by a positioning of an operating member 192 (shown in FIG. 2). It is understood that the operating member 192 can be any member suitable for exerting a desired force upon the second portion of the lever 178. It is further understood that the operating member 192 can be actuated by any means as desired such as a spring, for example. In certain embodiments, the force is caused to be exerted upon the second portion of the lever 178 by a rotation of a substantially vertically disposed operating screw located in a threaded aperture 194 (shown in FIG. 4) formed in the second end 168 of the housing 160. The force causes the first portion 182 of the lever 178 to be urged against the inner wall 180 of the well casing 136, thereby moving the adapter 102 towards the outer coupling member 101 and into sealing engagement therewith.

Wetted surfaces (surfaces in direct contact with the fluid) of the adapter assembly include an inner surface of the elbow duct 162 of the adapter 102, an inner surface of the neck duct 172 of the adapter 102, an inner surface of the inner wall 120 of the outer coupling member 101, and any portion of the outer coupling member 101 between the inner wall 120 and the feed pipe which remains exposed to the fluid. In the present embodiment, a weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly 100 with respect to the wetted surfaces of the adapter 102 and the outer coupling member 101 is no more than about 0.25 percent, which is a significant decrease from that of prior art adapter assemblies. The weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly 100 is calculated by multiplying a percentage of lead content in the adapter 102 times a ratio of the wetted surface area of the adapter 102 to a total wetted surface area of the adapter assembly 100 to arrive at a weighted percentage of lead of the adapter 102, multiplying a percentage of lead content in the outer coupling member 101 times a ratio of the wetted surface area of the outer coupling member 101 to the total wetted surface area of the adapter assembly 100 to arrive at a weighted percentage of lead of the outer coupling member 101, and summing the weighted percentages of the adapter 102 and the outer coupling member 101 to arrive at the weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly 100.

To assemble the adapter assembly 100, the outer coupling member 101 is positioned on the outer surface 134 of the well casing 136 such that the passage 104 of the outer coupling member 101 is substantially aligned with the passage 139 formed in the well casing 136. The outer coupling member 101 is then affixed to the well casing 136 using any suitable means as desired such as by the fastening assembly 141. When the outer coupling member 101 is affixed to the outer surface 134 of the well casing 136, the sealing member 140 forms a substantially fluid-tight seal between the outer coupling member 101 and the well casing 136. The adapter 102 is then assembled with other components of the well system before placement inside the well casing 136. In particular, the first end 164 of the housing 160 of the adapter 102 is coupled to the outlet end of the supply pipe 165, forming a substantially fluid-tight connection therebetween. In certain embodiments, the inlet end of the supply pipe 165 is coupled to the submersible pump. The second end 168 of the housing 160 of the adapter 102 is then coupled to the pull pipe 169.

Once the adapter 102 is assembled with the supply pipe 165 and the pull pipe 169, it is placed inside the well casing 136. The adapter 102 is lowered within the well casing 136 until the neck duct 172 of the housing 160 is brought into substantial alignment with the passage 139 of the well casing 136 and the passage 104 of the outer coupling member 101. Using the pull pipe 169 to position the adapter 102, the neck duct 172 is disposed through the passage 139 of the well casing 136 and into the passage 104 of the outer coupling member 101.

Thereafter, the operating member 192 is caused to exert a force upon the second portion of the lever 178 of the adapter 102, which urges the corresponding first portion 182 of the lever 178 into engagement with the inner wall 180 of the well casing 136. The engagement of the first portion 182 with the well casing 136 causes the adapter 102 to move towards the outer coupling member 101 and into fluid-tight sealing engagement therewith. In particular, the mating surface 176 of the neck duct 172 is urged towards the inner wall 120 of the outer coupling member 101, compressing the one or more sealing members 124 therebetween and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal. Once the adapter 102 is secured in the well casing 136, a closure (e.g. a vented well cap) is placed on top of the well casing 136 to militate against undesired access thereto.

In operation of the well system, the fluid from the well flows into the supply pipe 165. In certain embodiments, the fluid is caused to flow into the supply pipe 165 by the submersible pump. The fluid from the supply pipe 165 then flows through the elbow and neck ducts 162, 172, respectively, of the adapter 102 and into the passage 104 of the outer coupling member 101. From the outer coupling member 101, the fluid flows into the feed pipe which delivers the fluid to the receiving structure such as the commercial or residential building, the fluid reservoir, and the like, for example.

FIGS. 5-6 show an adapter assembly 200 for a well system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Structure similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 includes the same reference numeral and a prime (′) symbol for clarity. The adapter assembly 200 includes an outer coupling member 101′, an inner coupling member 201, and an adapter 102′.

For simplicity, the structure of the outer coupling member 101′ is substantially similar to the above description of the outer coupling member 101 except that the outer coupling member 101′ may be formed without the annular inner wall 120 and is preferably formed from a lead-free material such as a polyphenylene ether-polystyrene (PPE-PS) blended plastic material sold as Noryl™, for example. The PPE-PS blended plastic material provides dimensional stability of the outer coupling member 101′ and minimizes mold shrinkage, water absorption, and creep behavior thereof at elevated temperatures, as well as provides a outer coupling member 101′ having a strength which is substantially unaffected by humidity, temperature (heat or cold), and wall thickness. Accordingly, the PPE-PS blended plastic material may be used with substantially predictable performance over a wide temperature range. Typical properties and processing parameters of the PPE-PS blended plastic material are listed in tables shown in FIGS. 9-11.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, the inner coupling member 201 is shown. The inner coupling member 201 shown is formed by an injection molding process. It is understood, however, that the inner coupling member 201 can be formed by any suitable process as desired. The inner coupling member 201 is preferably formed from a lead-free material such as a polyphenylene ether-polystyrene (PPE-PS) blended plastic material sold as Noryl™, for example. The PPE-PS blended plastic material provides dimensional stability of the inner coupling member 201 and minimizes mold shrinkage, water absorption, and creep behavior thereof at elevated temperatures, as well as provides an inner coupling member 201 having a strength which is substantially unaffected by humidity, temperature (heat or cold), and wall thickness. Accordingly, the PPE-PS blended plastic material may be used with substantially predictable performance over a wide temperature range. Typical properties and processing parameters of the PPE-PS blended plastic material are listed in tables shown in FIGS. 9-11.

As illustrated, the inner coupling member 201 is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a passage 202 formed therein. The inner coupling member 201 has a convex face 204 (shown in FIGS. 6-7) conforming substantially to a circumferential inner wall 180′ of a well casing 136′. The face 204 may include an annular groove 205 formed therein. A sealing member 206 (shown in FIGS. 5-6) may be disposed in the groove 205 to surround the passage 139′ formed in the well casing 136′ and form a substantially fluid-tight seal between the inner coupling member 201 and the well casing 136′. The inner coupling member 201 may also include a plurality of ribs 207 (shown in FIGS. 7-8) to provide support and militate against a flexing of the inner coupling member 201.

For simplicity, the structure of the adapter 102′ shown in FIGS. 5-6 is substantially similar to the above description of the adapter 102 shown in FIGS. 2-4 except for a neck duct 208 extending laterally outwardly from the housing 160′. The neck duct 208 has a generally circular cross-sectional shape and includes a passage 210 formed therein. The passage 210 receives the fluid therein. An inlet of the passage 210 is in fluid communication with an outlet of an elbow duct 162′ (shown in FIG. 5) and an outlet of the passage 210 is in fluid communication with the outer coupling member 101′ through the passage 202 of the inner coupling member 201. As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the neck duct 208 includes a first portion 212 adjacent the housing 160′ and a second portion 214 terminating at a shoulder 216. The shoulder 216 includes a substantially planar mating surface for abutting a sealing member 220 received on the second portion 214 of the neck duct 208. An outer diameter of the first portion 212 of the neck duct 208 is relatively larger than an outer diameter of the second portion 214 thereof. The outer diameter of the second portion 214 is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the passage 202 of the inner coupling member 201. The neck duct 208 is received into the passage 202. A substantially planar mating surface 222 (shown in FIGS. 5-6 and 8) of the inner coupling member 201 abuts the sealing member 220 disposed on the second portion 214 of the neck duct 208 forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the adapter 102′ and the inner coupling member 201. It is understood that the substantially fluid-tight seal between the adapter 102′ and the inner coupling member 201 can be obtained by other means such as by use of an adhesive, for example.

A pivot lever 178′ is coupled to the adapter 102′. The lever 178′ is provided for pressing against the inner wall 180′ of the well casing 136′ opposite the passage 139′ formed in the well casing 136′. The lever 178′ exerts a coupling force in a direction of the inner and outer coupling members 201, 101′, respectively. The lever 178′ may have a casing engaging first portion 182′, a second portion 183′ opposite the first portion 182′ against which an operating force may be applied, and a fulcrum pin 184′. The second portion 183′ of the lever 178′ is received in a cavity (not shown) formed in the housing 160′, generally above the elbow duct 162′, to permit pivotal movement of the lever 178′ from a retracted first position to an extended second position, shown in FIG. 5. Each end of the fulcrum pin 184′ may be received and secured in one of a pair of aligned apertures (not shown) formed in laterally spaced apart lugs 190′ of the housing 160′.

Force may be exerted upon the second portion 183′ of the lever 178′ by a positioning of an operating member 192′. It is understood that the operating member 192′ can be any member suitable for exerting a desired force upon the second portion 183′ of the lever 178′. It is further understood that the operating member 192′ can be actuated by any means as desired. In certain embodiments, the force is caused to be exerted upon the second portion 183′ of the lever 178′ by a rotation of a substantially vertically disposed operating screw located in a threaded aperture (not shown) formed in the second end 168′ of the housing 160′. The force causes the first portion 182′ of the lever 178′ to be urged against the inner wall 180′ of the well casing 136′, thereby moving the adapter 102′ towards the inner and outer coupling members 201, 101′, respectively, and into sealing engagement therewith.

Wetted surfaces (surfaces in direct contact with the fluid) of the adapter assembly include an inner surface of the elbow duct 162′ of the adapter 102′, an inner surface of the neck duct 208 of the adapter 102′, an inner surface of the passage 202 of the inner coupling member 201, and any portion of the outer coupling member 101′ exposed to the fluid. The outer coupling member 101, the inner coupling member 201, the adapter 102′, or any combination thereof can be formed from the PPE-PS blended plastic material. In the present embodiment, a weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly 200 with respect to the wetted surfaces of the adapter 102′, the inner coupling member 201, and the outer coupling member 101′ is no more than about 0.25 percent, which is a significant decrease from that of prior art adapter assemblies. The weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly 200 is calculated by multiplying a percentage of lead content in the adapter 102′ times a ratio of the wetted surface area of the adapter 102′ to a total wetted surface area of the adapter assembly 200 to arrive at a weighted percentage of lead of the adapter 102′, multiplying a percentage of lead content in the inner coupling member 201 times a ratio of the wetted surface area of the inner coupling member 201 to the total wetted surface area of the adapter assembly 200 to arrive at a weighted percentage of lead of the inner coupling member 201, and multiplying a percentage of lead content in the outer coupling member 101′ times a ratio of the wetted surface area of the outer coupling member 101′ to the total wetted surface area of the adapter assembly 200 to arrive at a weighted percentage of lead of the outer coupling member 101′, and summing the weighted percentages of the adapter 102′, the inner coupling member 201, and the outer coupling member 101′ to arrive at the weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly 200.

To assemble the adapter assembly 200, the outer coupling member 101′ is positioned on the outer surface 134′ of the well casing 136′ such that a passage 104′ of the outer coupling member 101′ is substantially aligned with the passage 139′ formed in the well casing 136′. The outer coupling member 101′ is then affixed to the well casing 136′ using any suitable means as desired such as by a fastening assembly 141′. When the outer coupling member 101′ is affixed to the outer surface 134′ of the well casing 136′, a sealing member 140′, disposed in an annular groove 138′, forms a substantially fluid-tight seal between the outer coupling member 101′ and the well casing 136′.

The adapter 102′ is then assembled with the inner coupling member 201 and other components of the well system before placement inside the well casing 136′. In particular, the neck duct 208 of the adapter 102′ is disposed in the passage 202 of the inner coupling member 201. A first end 164′ of the housing 160′ of the adapter 102′ is then coupled to an outlet end of a supply pipe 165′, forming a substantially fluid-tight connection therebetween. In certain embodiments, the inlet end of the supply pipe 165′ is coupled to a submersible pump (not shown). A second end 168′ of the housing 160′ of the adapter 102′ is then coupled to a pull pipe 169′.

Once the adapter 102′ is assembled with the inner coupling member 201, the supply pipe 165′, and the pull pipe 169′, it is placed inside the well casing 136′. Using the pull pipe 169′, the adapter 102′ is lowered within the well casing 136′ until the passage 202 of the inner coupling member 201 is brought into substantial alignment with the passage 139′ of the well casing 136′ and the passage 104′ of the outer coupling member 101′.

Thereafter, an operating member 192′ is caused to exert a force upon the second portion 183′ of the lever 178′ of the adapter 102′, which urges the corresponding first portion 182′ of the lever 178′ into engagement with the inner wall 180′ of the well casing 136′. The engagement of the first portion 182′ of the lever 178′ with the well casing 136′ causes the adapter 102′ to move towards the coupling members 201, 101′ and into fluid-tight sealing engagement therewith. In particular, the mating surface of the neck duct 208 is urged towards the mating surface 222 of the inner coupling member 201, compressing the sealing member 220 therebetween, and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal. When the inner coupling member 201 is urged into abutment with the inner wall 180′ of the well casing 136′, the sealing member 206 forms a substantially fluid-tight seal between the inner coupling member 201 and the well casing 136′. Once the adapter 102′ and inner coupling member 201 are secured in the well casing 136′, a closure (e.g. a vented well cap) is placed on top of the well casing 136′ to militate against undesired access thereto.

In operation of the well system, the fluid from the well flows into the supply pipe 165′. In certain embodiments, the fluid is caused to flow into the supply pipe 165′ by the submersible pump. The fluid from the supply pipe 165′ then flows through the elbow and neck ducts 162′, 208, respectively, of the adapter 102′, through the passage 202 of the inner coupling member 201, and into the passage 104′ of the outer coupling member 101′. From the outer coupling member 101′, the fluid flows into a feed pipe which delivers the fluid to a receiving structure such as a commercial or residential building, a fluid reservoir, and the like, for example.

From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An adapter assembly for a well system, comprising: an adapter configured to be disposed in a casing of a well, the adapter including an outwardly extending duct, wherein the adapter cooperates with a first coupling member to facilitate a flow of a fluid from the well, wherein the adapter includes at least one of a substantially planar mating surface located on a face of the duct and a housing formed from a substantially lead-free material, and wherein a weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly with respect to wetted surfaces of the adapter and the first coupling member is no more than about 0.25 percent.
 2. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first coupling member is disposed on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the casing.
 3. The adapter assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second coupling member configured to cooperate with at least one of the adapter and the first coupling member to facilitate the flow of the fluid from the well.
 4. The adapter assembly of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member is formed from a substantially lead-free material.
 5. The adapter assembly of claim 4, wherein the substantially lead-free material is a polyphenylene ether-polystyrene blended plastic material.
 6. The adapter assembly of claim 3, wherein a weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly with respect to wetted surfaces of the adapter, the first coupling member, and the second coupling member is no more than about 0.25 percent.
 7. The adapter assembly of claim 3, wherein the second coupling member is disposed on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the casing.
 8. An adapter assembly for a well system, comprising: an adapter configured to be disposed in a casing of a well, the adapter cooperates with a first coupling member to facilitate a flow of a fluid from the well, wherein at least one of the adapter and the first coupling member is formed from a polyphenylene ether-polystyrene blended plastic material.
 9. The adapter assembly of claim 8, wherein a weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly with respect to wetted surfaces of the adapter and the first coupling member is no more than about 0.25 percent.
 10. The adapter assembly of claim 8, wherein the first coupling member is disposed on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the casing.
 11. The adapter assembly of claim 8, wherein the adapter includes a laterally outwardly extending duct having at least one mating surface.
 12. The adapter assembly of claim 11, further comprising a sealing member interposed between the first coupling member and the at least one mating surface of the duct.
 13. The adapter assembly of claim 8, further comprising a second coupling member configured to cooperate with at least one of the adapter and the first coupling member to facilitate the flow of the fluid from the well.
 14. The adapter assembly of claim 13, wherein the second coupling member is formed from a substantially lead-free material.
 15. The adapter assembly of claim 14, wherein the substantially lead-free material is the polyphenylene ether-polystyrene blended plastic material.
 16. The adapter assembly of claim 13, wherein a weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly with respect to wetted surfaces of the adapter, the first coupling member, and the second coupling member is no more than about 0.25 percent.
 17. The adapter assembly of claim 13, wherein the second coupling member is disposed on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the casing.
 18. A method of forming an adapter assembly for a well system, comprising the step of: forming an adapter from a polyphenylene ether-polystyrene blended plastic material, wherein the adapter is configured to be disposed in a casing of a well.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of forming a first coupling member from a substantially lead-free material, wherein the first coupling member is configured to cooperate with the adapter to facilitate a flow of a fluid from the well.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of forming a second coupling member from a substantially lead-free material, wherein the second coupling member is configured to cooperate with at least one of the adapter and the first coupling member to facilitate the flow of the fluid from the well. 